Looking for a last minute holiday getaway? 
A Southern style Christmas in Charleston, South Carolina.

Sometimes you just need to escape the holiday rush and this is exactly what we had in mind when we booked a room at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel right in the heart of old Charleston, and here is the secret…….. All the summer tourist hoards are gone!  You have the charming historic city pretty much to yourself and it is wonderful.  

The hotel was beautifully decorated for Christmas, with silver stars gleaming on the mantelpiece over the giant stone fireplace and a cheery Christmas tree in the Lobby. 

In fact, the entire Historic District was dressed up for Christmas and as we wandered along streets that are centuries old and peeked into tiny hidden gardens, we were embraced by the unique character of a southern Christmas; comfortably warm with flower scent still in the air even in December. 

The hotel is perfectly located within a few minutes walking to the Historic District, the French Quarter, the Battery, and King street, an upscale shopping pedestrian street. 

For foodies, the restaurants on E. Bay Street will make you delirious.  There are so many to choose from you will know instantly that you will have to come back again just to try them all.  Charleston is a leading city in the world of cuisine, especially Southern and Low Country Cooking.  You simply can’t leave Charleston without eating Shrimp and Grits, a Low Country specialty. 

While we prefer to be able to walk to a restaurant,  E. Bay is not the only area with great restaurants, so check online for the many others found around Charleston and the Bay area.

These are a few of our favorites:

S.N.O.B.  (Slightly North of Broad) – Low Country Bistro, informal fun
39 Rue de Jean – French, casual, traditional French bistro food
Charleston Grill – Upscale, Very Expensive, Great for special dinners, Jazz some nights

Fortunately, exploring the Charleston will wear off these fattening meals!  Jim and I love to walk down to the battery and dream of owning one of those amazing old Federal and Victorian beauties with their beautiful French ironwork.  We then walk on down to White Point Garden.  At the northeast corner of the park, is a marker, commemorating the hanging of the Gentleman Pirate Stede Bonnet and his crew in 1718.

The best way to learn about Charleston is by taking a carriage ride.  Our driver pointed out the many historical homes, churches and landmarks and told us the interesting stories behind them.  At the end of our tour, we were dropped back at the old City Market to look for souvenirs.  The City Market is a historic market complex established in the 1790s.  The market stretches for four city blocks from the Greek-Revival style Market Hall.  Artists and Artisans display their handi-crafts and these items range from truly wonderful pieces of art like the beautiful traditional hand-woven Sweetgrass Baskets, to tourist T-shirts and other kitsch. Naturally we wandered through the stalls for quite some time, checking them out!

Now you can’t spend all day wandering without ending your explorations with a drink and snack.  Well….. At least we can’t!  Our recommendation for a break is the cozy old world pub/restaurant called 82 Queen which is nestled in the French Quarter. 

While the pub/restaurant is only 30 years old, this address is actually 300 years old!  It is spread throughout three buildings with eleven quaint dining areas including a turn-of-the-century courtyard featuring a mammoth Magnolia tree. 

Jim and I love to sit at the pub bar or one of the high tables in the window to enjoy a good beer.  At Christmas, 82 Queen is all decked out in holiday cheer and as the early evening dims to night, the sparkling fairy-lights warm up the atmosphere and it truly feels like the holidays!  

Need to get away from the holiday rush?  Head out for some southern holiday comfort in Historic Charleston!